“Let’s go for a walk. We can figure something out, together.” Cora reached for my hand.
“I can’t. I’m exhausted, Cora.” I slipped away from her and traced my steps back, desperate for a moment of solitude.
Lavender tea settled on my tongue. Its scent unraveled my nerves. Life continued in the courtyard below, a complete contrast to the serenity of the Heart of Lythira. I longed to be back at his castle, to feel his embrace—the moments I craved were taken from me.
My heart was hardening. Each hour that passed, thedistance between Lioran and I only grew. I sank further into the sofa as Thalen’s offer settled on me.
He said he wasn’t hunting me; he was trying to save me from the High Court, from this heartache. I entangled myself with Lioran, but he still came for me. I would never understand his actions, but I understood just how far I’d go for love.
Still, every warning Lioran gave about him hung over me. I knew who he was—what he was capable of, but the choice wasn’t really mine to make.
The deal was made—Thalen had every right to claim me.
It would be easier to go without protest. If I married Thalen, I could still have a life of my own making. There would be no secrecy, no threat of watching the man I love be bonded to someone else—I could leave it all behind and build something new.
Darkness swept through the chambers. The endless flicker of candlelight held my gaze. Cora had come by, but our conversation only spiraled. She hadn’t returned since.
The door creaked, severing the stillness.
“Leave me alone.” I growled before Cora could enter.
Cora didn’t respond as she entered, but as I spun to face her, Lioran stood before me. His rage-filled glare glowed in the darkness. I hadn’t even felt him enter. Maybe whatever tethered us together was severed, too.
“Fyn pulled me out of a very important meeting, with news from the palace garden.” His biceps bulged beneath his midnight tunic.
I sat in silence as he came closer.
“I need you to tell me he was wrong about what he saw. Tell me—you weren’t in Thalen’s arms.” His eyes narrowed.
“I wasn’t aware Fyn was reporting on my whereabouts.” I clenched my jaw. “Or that you cared where I was at all.”
“So, you did…you let him hold you? Like I would hold you…after everything he did to you…to us.”
“Us?” I seethed. The storm inside me whirled, a pit settled in my stomach. I rose before him. “You know Fyn wouldn’t lie to you. Why are you even here?”
His chest trembled with each unsteady breath.
“You’re really considering what he’s offering?” Desperation leached between his words.
I didn’t dare raise my gaze to meet his. My hands ran over all the layers of fabric that encompassed me.
“Youareconsidering his offer.” He slapped his hand over his chest as if I struck him. “You hated him, were so worried he’d come to Lythira. His men almost killed me,” he growled.
“It wasn’t his instruction.”
“You know what he is—what he is capable of. I didn’t think you’d fall for his manipulation. You let him use his magic on you and then you pretend he didn’t.” He reached for my hand, but I slipped from his grasp. “Thalen defiled your reputation in the High Court.”
“My reputation was gone the moment I made the choices I did with you. You didn’t even hesitate to discard me when you were done with me.”
“He made you believe you’re worthless, too.”
“No. I am fighting for my future, because no one else will.”
He stepped backwards. “So, you’re choosing him, because?—”
“You’ll never give me what I want.”
“And he will?” His hand reached for mine, but his fingers rolled inward. I held on to hope for too long, but seeing him here in front of me, I knew our time was done.
